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THE MONTHLY REPOSITORY ANP REVIEW . NEW SERIES , No . XXV .

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JANUARY , 1829 .

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Although we cannot , in our critical conscience , assign Bernard Barton any very distinguished place among the bards of Britain , yet we can say of him , what we should not ventureto affirm of many bards , that his productions may be perused with pleasant , congenial , and improved feelings , by the rational and devout Christian , at those seasons which most dispose him to serious reflection . There are times when the good sense , good principle , and good feeling , which we are sure of findings in his Verses , make ample

amends for their lack of poetry , or rather for the inferiority of the kind of poetry to which they belong . And such a * time is New-Year's Eve , when , if we look at all into any book , save one , it should be just such a book as this , whose spirit is in perfect harmony with the sentiments we desire and ought to cherish . He has chosen his subject well ; and ministers like a faithful , gentle , and pious friend , at the bedside of the departing year . He breathes on its last moments a Christian benediction ; and , turning from the past to

futurity , he " engarlands the sepulchre of time" with the wreath of immortality . Next to that task which admits of no companionship ; that examination , reflection , and devotion , which every man should engage himself -4 ny during some portion of such days , and which must be done by himself in both senses of the phrase ; which must pass in the innermost sanctuary of his soul , its holy of holies ; next to this , in the catalogue of becoming occupations at such a time , is the adoption of meditations so appropriate and useful as those of our author . We shall select some of his stanzas as the

medium for a seasonable communion of thought with our readers ; merely premising that the Poem from which they are taken , and which furnishes a title to the volume , only fills its first 26 pages , the remainder being occupied with a variety of smaller pieces , many of which have appeared before in the Annuals and other periodical publications . They have the usual characteristics of the writer , and will be welcome to all who have derived pleasure from his previous performances . We have said enough to shew our accordance with the opening stanza :

" A New Years ' s eve ! Methinks 'tis good to sit ) At such an hour , in silence and alone , Tracing that record , by the pen unwrit , Which every human heart has of its own , Ofjpys and g riefs , of hopes and fears , unknown To all beside ; to let the spirit feel , In all its force , the deep and solemn tone Of Time ' s unflattering " , eloquent appeal , Which Truth to every breast would inwardly reveal . "